Something about the Sky

Something About the Sky is an adaptation/compilation of works by Rachel Carson.  Originally written to satisfy the curiosity of a young child, the text explores the sky and water cycle from every possible point of view: philosophy, art, anthropology, meteorology and emotions.  Nikki McClure uses primarily blue and black to capture and look and feel of the sky.  Mostly due to necessity born in Covid she used washi paper and ink to capture the ethereal quality of clouds.  The layers of cut paper make the pages seem three dimensional and touchable.  I'm guessing the children will be drawn to the colorful sunset page but I love the black and white overlays of the fisherwoman, cherry blossoms and the hand holding a butterfly on the water.  At first I was a bit put off by the fact that the clouds seemed to take a back seat to the other illustrations.  Strange because the book is about clouds.  After looking closer I think Nikki McClure was highlighting importance of clouds to everything on earth. I hope this beautiful thought provoking book inspires the Caldecott Committee as much as it inspired me.